Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-08
THURsDAY......DECEMBER s, 1887.
The Governors Message.

The Governors Message.
We print this morning Governor LEES
annual message 10 the General Assembly.
II is q document of rare merit 1t has
not occurred to us that single objection
can be raised against it, The Governor
is evidently man Of fine judgment and
investigating mind. His message bears
witness that in oil he does he studies the
interest OF the Commonwealth. We
might with these few words of comment
turn il over to the public, as it is interest
ing enough and brief enough to COM
mand readers for itself.
Naturally the Governor after short
introduction takes up the public-debt
questions. He gives history of the
commission of last spring, showing that
he has for years worked faithfully him
self In the cause of the people of Vir-
ginis, and with an earnest desire to be
rid OF this incubus He assumes that
both parties are in favor of adhering to
e., RlDDLEBERGER bill. He hopes and
beh yes that this can yet be carried ont
without increasing the taxes. After re-
citing the history of the cases recently
decided in the Supreme Court of the
United States the Governor recommends
that the institution of suits under the
law under which those cases arose be by
JOINT resolution suspended for time, he
having received reliable assurances that
good results will follow. We take it for
granted that the General Assembly will
do this. The hour of triumph is the
time for magnaniinity.
We take it for granted that the Cover
nor'srecommendation was based upon the
following:
RICHMOND, Va, December 8, 1887.
Hon. FTt-hugh Lee, Governor Of Vtr-
ginid:
Dear Sir,-In view OF the decision
made by the Supreme Court of the
United States on December 18th. in the
matter of r. A. Ayers, j. b. McCabe,
and John Scott, | suggest that If the
State will suspend all proceedings under
the act of May IL, 1887, and all prosecu-
tions where coupons are involved for
reasonable time, will endeavor to bring
about q conference between her and her
creditors which l believe will result in
an adjustment of the issues between
them. will in no way promote the use
of coupons during that time, or take
other action hostile TO her interests.
Yours very truly,
TSigned1 WILLIAM IL. RoYALL,
Counsel for the Virginia Committee of
the Council of Foreign Bondholders.
The Code will sooA be ready, but the
distribution Of it will take more time
than the law as il is allows.
The public school system receives
kind treatment The Governor desires
to increase its usefulness and efficiency,
and especially in the sparsely-settled
portions Of the State. Read what he
saws on this subject. We have advocated
these schools for twenty years, and take
pride in all efforts to inn rove them.
State institutions for technical and
higher learning are reported as pros
porous, and the Governor commends
them all to favor. Nor does lie omit to
mention UNCONVENTIONAL and private col
legeS In fact he believes in such insti-
tutions, whether under State control or
corporate management. We could not
with Justice to him epitomize what he
saws as 10 the Farmyille Normal School,
the Virginia Normal and Collegiate In
stitute. &C., &c. He recommends indus
trial education or manual training in the
Common and graded schools.
The eleemosynary institutions are
commended the Legislature and their
condition reported. The increase in in
sanity nong the negroes is reported
upon good authority TO be amazing.
Plainly does the Governor speak OF
the injudicious use of the States money
in the building of the Central Lunatic
Asylum.
The Governor lands the farmer, and
recommends an increased appropriation
10 the Agricultural Department
After speaking well of the manage
ment of the penitentiary be recommends
the establishment of reformatory OF
industrial school for youthful criminals.
A good proposition.
He also recommends a monthly in
spection OF jails.
His soldiers, white and colored, the
Governor speaks of with unstinted
praise.
For the old soldiers and sailors oI
ls6l-'65 he recommends generous ap-
preparation. Nobody will vote against
this proposition. Let the veterans be
well cared for.
He recommends that the grand diyi.
sons of the State be fixed by law, the
counties in each 10 be named. Another
excellent Recommendation.
Several other recommendations are
included in the messago-one for the
abolition Of the Office Of Register Of the
Land Ohice--one for new building to
hold the State Library, historical re-
cords, Offices Of the Court Of Appeals,
&c. one as to the police one as to con.
victs. And winds up by referring all to
the reports of the departments or base.
ment officers.
n We repeat that this message is model
document II was said Of CHARLES IL.
y that he never said foolish thing and
never did wise one. Governor LEE
never says nor doesa foolish thing.
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